Rekindling the dream of becoming a star

Chapter 331 Who Else But Me?
I don't know who was the first to have this feeling, but soon everyone was wondering about something.

Where did Prince Chen go?
He did not participate in any commercial activities; by this point in the All-Star Game, everyone who was supposed to be there had made an appearance.

But it's impossible that he didn't come, because Chen Wang was photographed by the media appearing in Charlotte on the 16th.

However, Chen Wang remained missing for the entire day of the 17th.

Reporters started making inquiries, and when Rivers was asked at home, he replied with surprise, "If I were the head coach of the Western Conference All-Star team, I should know, oh, I forgot, he's in the East."

“You should ask Mike Budenholzer.”

So a reporter went to ask Mike Budenholzer, the Bucks' head coach who was in Charlotte for the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

“He called me and said he’d see me tomorrow,” Mike smiled.

"Don't worry, since we said tomorrow, then it should be tomorrow."

Not only North American journalists, but also their Chinese counterparts, CCTV brought a group of people. Mr. Zhang Weiping wanted to meet Chen Fang, but after two days in Charlotte, he still had no clue what to do.

It wasn't until evening, when someone leaked the information, that everyone realized where Chen Fang had gone.

Chen Fang spent the entire 17th day at the University of Charlotte, participating in a training day activity with the University of Charlotte's D1 players.

According to Charlotte University head coach Dassault, "Chen Wang was the one with the best attitude in practice today. He not only showed my players what NBA-level skills are, but also showed them what professionalism is."

"We were all deeply shocked and educated."

So the whole of America knew that Chen Wang, participating in the All-Star Game for the first time, was so solemn and serious for this first time.

This became a laughing stock at the time; All-Stars is an entertainment program, and being too serious would seem out of place.

However, some people sensed something different, but current players, especially those selected for this All-Star Game, would not make fun of or say much about it in public.

With Duan Ran's help, Chen Fang, after finishing training, gave an interview to CCTV at his hotel on the eve of the All-Star Game.

Mr. Zhang Weiping fulfilled his wish, but the host was Yu Jia.

The CCTV interview team arrived at the hotel an hour early to prepare for the interview.

Just as they were worried about whether Chen Fang would be on time, they saw Chen Wang rush in.

Yu Jia couldn't help but glance at her watch; there were still twenty minutes until the agreed-upon time.

My impression of him immediately improved. As a host, Yu Jia has participated in many interviews with sports stars. Some were on time, some were late, but this was the first time he had arrived early.

They're definitely one of our own.

Duan Ran followed in. Although he wasn't qualified to join the interview as the middleman, he still had to be present.

With Duan Ran present, the atmosphere became less awkward. After a few pleasantries, the interview officially began, ahead of schedule.

The assistant tried to hand Chen Fang interview questions, but Chen Fang shook his head and refused.

"No need, just chat like old friends."

After the lights and microphones were properly set up, the interview officially began at the director's signal.

"First of all, congratulations Chen Fang on becoming a starter in the All-Star Game," Yu Jia said first.

"Thank you."

"What does this mean? Can you talk about it?"

Chen Fang smiled and said, "It means that my performance in the league has been recognized, whether by the officials, my opponents, or the fans."

"This is a great honor, and it is one of the goals I have been pursuing since I joined the league."

Yu Jia keenly pressed on, "Then can we talk about what other goals you have?"

"Championship".

Chen Fang's unwavering confidence exudes an overwhelming aura.

To be honest, this was the first time Yu Jia had felt a sense of exhilaration and a surge of pride.

This is something that has never happened before in previous interviews.

"The Clippers currently have the best record in the league, and the season is halfway through. What are your thoughts?"

“We are gradually forming a team, a big family. This is very important.” Chen Fang is happy to share this.

"We are a team mostly composed of new generation players. We are all young people, and our desire for honor is beyond imagination."

"Who suggested 'chasing the championship'? Or did everyone feel that the time was right?"

"I brought this up, and I think it's very important. A team should know what its goal is and what we are trying to achieve in the game."

Chen Fang didn't evade the question. He continued, "At first, everyone was shocked. So I said, why don't you dare to think about it? In my opinion, not daring to think about it is cowardice, it's just wasting your life."

"As the team captain and leader, I have an obligation to unite everyone's thoughts."

Yu Jia couldn't help but swallow, because Chen Fang's aura at this moment was truly overwhelming.

"In competitive sports, I need a group of teammates who crave honor," Chen Fang said seriously, which suddenly made the atmosphere of the interview heavy.

Yu Jia immediately changed the subject to ease the tension.

"This is your first time participating in the All-Star Game. Are there any experienced seniors who can give you some pointers?"

“Many people have posted it. Ross told me to relax. I just posted it.” Chen Fang also smiled and raised his phone to indicate this.

"You've only been in the league for a year and a half, but you've made a lot of friendships. How did you do that?"

"strength!"

"Without real ability, even if you are very humorous and respectful of others, you won't gain many friendships."

"The NBA is the best basketball league in the world. Everyone here is a prodigy. They are used to being praised, so if you don't have the ability, it's hard for them to take you seriously."

Chen's words were direct, but they were the truth.

This was Yu Jia's first time interviewing Chen Fang, and Chen Fang was incredibly impactful. Just as rumored, he was sharp-tongued and had a strong personality.

Perhaps it is this kind of personality that has enabled him to achieve such amazing success.

The questions also fell into Chen Fang's rhythm due to his assertiveness, and Yu Jia began to ask more questions about his judgment on Chinese and American basketball.

"If we want Chinese basketball to improve, I think the most important thing is to increase the number of grassroots coaches."

"The level of the league depends on foreign players in the short term, but on youth training in the long term."

"The future of youth training lies in schools and in amateur adult leagues." Chen Fang's suggestion puzzled Yu Jia, so he asked, "Why is it related to amateur adult leagues?"

"It's very relevant! You could say the key point is right here." Chen Fang intended to use the interview to convey some of his views and gain more support. "Whether it's junior high or high school basketball leagues, the place they all belong to is the university."

"There are enough universities and corresponding leagues, but the duration is too short, ending in 3-4 years."

"Most players can only treat this as a hobby and return to their normal professional work. In fact, many players who play in college end up not living up to their previous training efforts."

"A very small number of players are also mercenaries who enter amateur leagues, township leagues, and government leagues."

"If you examine this path carefully, you'll find that it's actually a one-way street, or, to put it bluntly, a dead end."

Yu Jia initially tried to interject, but now she could only nod.

"Only by mobilizing the grassroots and society, and by establishing a small commercial league in every city, connected by the provincial level, will more parents be willing to support their children to continue on the path of basketball."

"The same goes for football."

"In fact, ordinary families don't have high expectations for their children's future: a stable income and a certain social status. If a basketball player can earn hundreds of thousands a year, then many talented children will go down that path."

"If we persist for ten years, a positive cycle will be formed, and many retired basketball players will spontaneously become basic coaches to discover and cultivate more basketball talents."

"We all know that you participated in this project last summer, called Project Blue, right?" Yu Jia also realized that Chen Fang was using the CCTV interview to express his philosophy on Chinese basketball.

“Yes, I use my reputation as the top brand to attract investment and expand the market,” Chen Fang immediately admitted.

"If we only focus on the top-level professional leagues, it's actually very superficial."

"It's difficult to maintain the national team's strength in the long run by relying on some stars."

"In the past there was Yao Ming, now there is me. But we must understand that we are stars who were born by chance, not because we have a better foundation."

"In contrast, the United States has achieved a comprehensive system. The NCAA is more profitable than the NBA, and the American high school leagues in each state are extremely commercially valuable. Many players who fail to make it to the professional scene have a place to return to and continue to make a living and support their families through basketball."

"This is the biggest gap between Chinese and American basketball."

"The more people participate in a competitive sport, the more it needs to rely on society to achieve its goals. As long as the foundation of amateur leagues exists, we will have many more Yao Mings and Chen Fangs."

“Yes, I think that’s the real significance of today’s interview,” Yu Jia said seriously.

"That's right, my achievements are due to my personal efforts and a bit of luck, so they're not really relevant. But I have a goal in mind: I want to see more of my compatriots in the NBA. We need not just one or two, but seven or eight, a dozen or more, or even more."

"Given China's large population and superior genetic makeup, it is possible."

Not only Yu Jia, but everyone present was filled with awe and respect.

“Every summer, I use my own resources to run a training camp in the United States, where the best trainers and the league’s best stars teach them and create more opportunities for these talents.”

"I think this is more important than the All-Star game."

After the interview, Chen Fang invited everyone out for a late-night snack, and with Duffy's help, they booked a private restaurant.

The atmosphere is very relaxed now, so the conversation starts to turn to curious gossip about NBA stars.

Chen Fang shared some amusing anecdotes about the star players that he could share publicly, which drew laughter from the audience.

"KD is really a loser. His eyes are so clear. To be honest, I really like him," Chen Fang said frankly.

"What about James?" Old Master Zhang Weiping couldn't help but ask, after all, Chen Fang and James had a big falling out not long ago.

Yu Jia was speechless, and looked at Duan Ran with a wry smile. Before the interview, Duan Ran had reminded him that it was best not to ask James.

But the old man is like a child; he can't possibly remember that.

"Him?" Chen Fang thought for a moment. Seeing that there were only a few of them at the table, he said indifferently, "In short, I'm not too fond of him."

“James achieved success at a young age, coupled with his childhood experiences, so I think many of his actions were premature,” Yu Jia spoke first. Since he had spoken, he shouldn’t let Chen Fang take the blame.

Even if it comes out later, they won't say anything about Chen Fang. Hosts and commentators like them make a living by talking, so what's wrong with being criticized a few times?

"Don't you remember when you came to China 15 years ago to do business, and you were an hour and a half late?" Zhang Weiping chuckled.

Yu Jia nodded: "I was there that day, along with Teacher Yang and Teacher Su. The three of us interviewed him."

Chen Fang listened with great interest, and Yu Jia gave a brief account of the events leading up to the incident.

"He was so arrogant. To avoid causing him trouble, we stayed at the hotel where he was staying, but we were still so late. And when we arrived, he didn't even apologize. He just sat there with his legs crossed. My first thought was that I was a clown," Yu Jia said indignantly.

The world is full of comparisons; compared to Chen Fang's earlier arrival, the difference is huge.

"That interview was really tough. We had to be so careful, like we were trying to coax a child. James had a sour look on his face the whole time. We had to keep praising him before he finally smiled."

"Honestly, I don't see any respect in his eyes," Yu Jia said, speaking the truth.

“That’s normal,” Chen Fang said. As soon as he spoke, Yu Jia stopped, and everyone pricked up their ears to listen.

“He only values ​​value. Compared to his identity as a professional player, I think his true calling is as a businessman.”

"But he's a decent person, there's nothing to hold against him." Chen Fang had come to terms with it. Since they didn't get along anyway, he wasn't afraid to say a few sarcastic remarks. Avoiding the topic would only make people think he was scared.

"It's just that we're all adults, and we see through it all."

“However, he has the most say in the league, the most sponsors, and the most support from the league.” Chen Fang smiled. “You can’t afford to offend him!”

Everyone at the table nodded in understanding.

"There's a very high chance that James will win the MVP award in tomorrow's game," Yu Jia said in a deep voice.

As he spoke, the others looked at Chen Fang.

"I know what you all are thinking, but I've done my best in this matter, so that my trip won't be in vain." Chen Fang couldn't make any definitive statements; he felt it was time to end the conversation.

"I need to go back and rest now. Happy Lantern Festival to everyone."

Yes, tomorrow is the Lantern Festival, and even the main venue will have Chinese slogans to cater to Chinese fans.

Watching Chen Fang's departing figure, the group felt they had gained a lot today.

"I never imagined that China could produce such a dominant star player," Yu Jia remarked.

Duan Ran recalled a poem and couldn't help but recite: "Throughout history, who else but me can determine the rise and fall of dynasties?"

"Beneath the crimson backdrop of the battlefield, a deity descends upon the world."

"Thousands of chariots and tens of thousands of riders, banners covering the sky."

"A cold gunshot rings out, and the world submits."

"What a wonderful poem!" Everyone thought it was very fitting for the occasion and perfectly matched the spirit Chen Fang had displayed that evening.

Everyone is eagerly anticipating what kind of amazing performance Chen Wang will deliver in tomorrow's star-studded main event, filled with superstars.

(End of this chapter)